Boeing Business Jets set a new world record for “Speed Over a Recognized Course” when a BBJ flew non-stop from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand for installation of its VIP interiors.
Hawker Beechcraft Corp. (HBC) and Superior Air Beijing of China continue to negotiate the sale of the U.S. manufacturer’s commercial operation even as a 45-day exclusivity period expires. The exclusivity period started July 17 after HBC received a $1.79 billion proposal from Superior. HBC at the time called the offer “the greatest value for the company.” That window of exclusivity has now passed.
Aviation Partners, Inc. (API) have announced that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted Supplemental Type Certificate approval for its High Mach Blended Winglets on the Falcon 50 series aircraft.
Al Bateen Executive Airport, the dedicated business aviation airport of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), has released its traffic performance results for the first half of 2012, revealing a strong 30% increase in visiting aircraft movements to the executive airport over the period between January and June 2012 compared with the same period in 2011, registering a total of 1,100 visiting flights during those six months.
The FAA is taking steps to begin a transition to unleaded aviation gasoline—including the creation of a new Fuels Program Office—but FAA acting Administrator Michael Huerta warns resources are limited and industry support will be needed. Huerta in a letter to industry leaders said the agency has taken “some organizational steps to prepare for the initiation of a transition program to unleaded fuel.” This includes engaging the services of a transition consultant as well as the new office to coordinate aviation fuels activities.
The successful incorporation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace system will require regular assessments and a clear approach to addressing privacy concerns, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) finds in a new report. The investigative arm of the U.S. Congress says the FAA, in particular, should frequently monitor its efforts to fulfill UAS requirements and deadlines signed into law in February as part of a four-year agency reauthorization.
A large portion of the FAA budget will be exempt from mandatory sequestration cuts, set to take effect on Jan. 3, according to data released late Friday by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
HONEYWELL Models TFE731-4, -4R, -5, -5R, -5AR, and -5BR series turbofan engines. [Docket No. FAA-2011-1045; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-32-AD; Amendment 39-17168; AD 2012-17-05] – requires replacing affected LPT1 rotor assemblies. This AD was prompted by a report of a rim/web separation of a first stage low-pressure. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent uncontained disk separation, engine failure, and damage to the airplane. FAA estimates the will affect 1,550 engines installed on U.S.-registered airplanes at a cost of $35.2 million per year. The AD takes effect Oct. 2.
ADA FURANO was named vice president of finance for Key Air. Furano has a background in accounting management, accounting systems and integrations in the aviation industry. She spent 20 years with Wayfarer Aviation as accounting supervisor and later served as director of accounting for TAG Aviation.
China’s HNA Group is outlining ambitious plans to expand its Hongkong Jet business aircraft management operations to fill what its sees as a void in service and quality in the emerging Chinese market. China’s business aircraft management companies have begun to proliferate, thanks to easier regulation and a growing awareness among the country’s wealthy and big companies that private jets are attainable and useful. But service quality has not matched that of Western standards with a number of carriers.
Comlux America’s opening of its new facility in Indianapolis marks a rapid expansion that helps cement the company among the major completion centers for Airbus Corporate Jets and Boeing Business Jets. The company held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 12 to formally open the 129,000-sq.-ft. facility, a celebration that occurred a little more than four years after Comlux established a presence in the U.S. to get into the completions business.
Tom Hendricks, who completed his first weeks at the helm of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), is picking up a common theme that general aviation leaders have stressed in recent years: the vital importance of working together to educate the public on the value of aviation. But Hendricks has a slightly different perspective, having just left his position as senior vice president, safety, security and operations at Airlines for America (A4A) to succeed James Coyne as president and CEO of NATA.
FAA is creating a new Fuels Program Office to coordinate aviation fuels activity, including efforts to transition to an unleaded aviation gasoline, FAA acting Administrator Michael Huerta says.
House General Aviation Caucus co-Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) is hoping to ensure that the White House’s $100-per-flight user fee proposal remains derailed, holding a House Small Business Committee hearing last week to underscore the damage such proposals could inflict on general aviation.
HUGHES HELICOPTERS, MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER SYSTEMS Model 369D, 369E, 369F, and 369FF helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2012-0890; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-019-AD] -- proposes to require measuring the distance from the aft face of the station 209.78 frame ring to the center of rivet No. 1 and rivet No. 2 at the four locations where the frame ring attaches to the tailboom longeron. The proposal also will require immediate modification, if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery of short-edge margin conditions on two tailboom assemblies.
A new round of proclamations from several state governors has increased to 45 the number of states that have formally recognized the value of aviation to the national and local economy, according to the Alliance for Aviation Across America. The latest proclamations have come from Utah Governor Gary Herbert, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. Herbert named September “Aviation Appreciation Month” in Utah, and the state estimates that general aviation contributes $815 million to the state’s economy and supports 9,257 jobs in the state.
Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) is calling on the U.S. government to adopt its national aviation policy, which, unlike one proposed by airline trade group Airlines for America, covers airlines, airports, general aviation, organized labor and aerospace manufacturers. ACI-NA’s board approved a policy for submission to the government at Airports Council International’s global meeting Sept. 10 in Calgary, British Columbia. “The aviation industry as a whole is interconnected,” says Jane Calderwood, ACI-NA vice president government and political affairs.
Germany’s ADAC will purchase 17 new helicopters from Eurocopter for its emergency medical service in a deal worth €130 million. The 14 EC 145 T2 and three EC-135 multipurpose helicopters will be delivered by 2017 as ADAC modernizes its fleet.
GOODYEAR AVIATION TIRES Part Number 299K63-1 (Brazilian made new tires only), installed on various transport category airplanes, including Bombardier Mdoel CL-600-2B19 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0881; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-029-AD; Amendment 39-17164; AD 2012-17-01] – requires replacement of affected tires.
JEFF TROCCOLO joined Key Air as chief pilot. Troccolo has more than 15 years of aviation experience. He has 15 years of aviation experience, most recently as director of flight operations for Polygon Air Corp. There, he managed aircraft and crews flying for both Part 91 and Part 135 operations. He also was a client aviation manager for TAG Aviation.
FAA plans to withdraw a recently issued engine component vibration testing rule change that has triggered sharp industry protest and a legal challenge from the Modification and Replacement Parts Association (Marpa). Sources confirm that the agency will pull the rule, issued July 5. Marpa on this month filed a Notice of Appeal with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia Circuit, arguing that the rule should be withdrawn because the FAA failed to give the public a chance to comment.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2012-0861; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-074-AD] – proposes to require modification of the wiring and changes to existing airworthiness limitations. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of the loss of the fixed frequency system, leading to the loss of power to the left and right buses and all systems serviced by these buses.
KURT EDWARDS was appointed as director general of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). Edwards joins IBAC with a strong policy background, previously holding roles with the FAA International Affairs and Environment Offices. He also led FAA outreach while based in Brussels and Paris, as well as at ICAO on environmental matters. Edwards replaces Donald Spruston, the previous director general who held the role since 1999.
